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Building up Baby, An Interview With Denise Miller

by Shauna Smith Duty

Kaitlyn mom started out much like other mothers who think their baby will make a great model. Hard work, research, and an enormous investment of time paid off for Denise Miller. Kaitlyn has had 19 photo shoots with Mervyn’s, as well as shoots with Picture People, Pottery Barn Kids, and Red Envelope. How did Denise kick off Kaitlyn’s career? Let’s find out.

SSD: Tell us about your child and why you thought he/she would make a good model.

DM: Kaitlyn was born happy. She'd go to anyone, smile at anything, and was incredibly good-natured. She was "hamming" it up for the camera by the time she was 4 months old. She was born the center of attention. Kaitlyn loves to be noticed. She runs up to everyone we encounter and says, “Hi!” After winning a couple of photo contests, it was suggested to me that she should model. I figured, if she made it, modeling could be something that we enjoyed doing together.

SSD: Tell us about yourself.

DM: I am happily married to my high school sweetheart. I stayed at home with Kaitlyn the first year [of her life], and the week of her first birthday, I returned to work. I am an apartment manager and live on site. The benefit of this job is that I can stay at home with Kaitlyn and raise her while still helping to provide for the family. [My job] is incredibly flexible, otherwise we wouldn't be able to continue with her career. I was born and raised, the oldest of 4 in West Sacramento, CA. I am a firm believer that a strong family foundation is the best possible start for any child. We are incredibly close to both sides of the family. We have Sunday dinner at my parents and my husband plays softball with his dad every week. Kaitlyn and I always cheer them on.

SSD: What were the first steps you took toward your child's modeling career?

DM: I did my research. I read up on what agencies and clients look for regarding children/baby models. I learned that [children] under the age of 2 [need] full body [and] head shots. I wanted Kaitlyn to appear marketable when I approached the agencies. I picked 5 pictures, 3 full body and 2 close-ups. I read some of the agency requirements and suggestions for sending pictures. They typically include happy, clean, smiling faces looking at the camera. Backgrounds that were simple or outdoors, and focused on the subject, and of course, clean non-seasonal clothes [were a must]. On the back, I [added] labels with her name, age, weight, height, hair color, eye color and our contact information. I wrote a short letter with the same information, her accomplishments (standing and smiling), and why I thought she would be a good model. I included those with a SASE (self-addressed, stamped envelope), and mailed them to 5 agencies.

SSD: How did these steps pay off?

DM: We were called on 2 interviews and received 2 "try again in 6 months" letters. The agency closest to us was a complete scam. In order to sign the contract, we had to pay $1500 up front for portfolio costs. Then we met with Generations and it was amazing! They were incredibly nice, courteous, and asked us to sign with them.

SSD: What would you do differently?

DM: I would have researched the agency closer to us prior to sending them information. They now call on a monthly basis to see if we've reconsidered. We have informed them that she has an agent and is working, but they still try to get $1500 from us. It's almost laughable.

SSD: Have you had any negative experiences? What were they?

DM: At a shoot recently, another mother . . . had a couple of children involved, and her youngest was a back-up that day. She was a mother that had been in the business a while and acted as though she knew everything. It was a busy shoot . . . and there were a lot of kids that had the same call-time. As each mother and her child would leave, this lady would trash the mother and the child. I think what bothered me the most is that the other parents would sit there and listen to her, but not defend the child at all. It was a disgusting display. Typically, parents are all so nice and helpful to one another. I have met so many great people while Kaitlyn's been working.

SSD: What are Kaitlyn’s career accomplishments, and how long has she been in the business?

DM: Kaitlyn's first job was in October of 2005. It was about 2 weeks after she was signed. In 7 months, Kaitlyn has had 19 shoots with Mervyn's. Many ads have already been released and more are still awaiting release. She has had shoots with Picture People, Pottery Barn Kids and Red Envelope.

SSD: Where is he/she headed next?

DM: She was recently booked to do the Story Book Heirlooms catalog, and she is booked to be in an independent film.

SSD: Do you have business plan (goals) in place for Kaitlyn’s career?

DM: As long as Kaitlyn is enjoying herself, we'll continue with it. As far as business goals, we haven't set any.

SSD: How has your child adjusted to working, and how do you handle socialization?

DM: Kaitlyn loves working. It's like a play date for her. Typically you see many of the same kids at shoots, go-sees or open calls. It's a great way for Kaitlyn to be able to socialize since she isn't in any type of day care program.

SSD: What advice would you give parents considering modeling for their children?

DM: It is an incredible opportunity and a great way to save for college. If you think your child has it, and YOU have the time and dedication, go for it!

SSD: Do you work with an agent? How has this been for you?

DM: We do work with an agency. Kaitlyn is signed with Generation's Model and Talent in San Francisco. Without an agency, I have no idea where we would get her work. This has been an incredible tool. The agency makes money when Kaitlyn does, and that acts as an incentive to get her work. It's a win-win situation.

SSD: How do you find work?

DM: The agency calls us whenever there is a booking, go-see or open call for Kaitlyn. All we have to do is show up.

SSD: Tell us about your marketing.

DM: I found a photography student that did Kaitlyn's first headshots for free. Since then, I take the pictures. Kaitlyn does have [an] online listing at skybolt.net through her agency that we pay $9 per month for. We haven't had comp cards or headshots printed.

SSD: How has your child's career affected your life socially, emotionally, and practically?

DM: It can take 2-3 hours to get to San Francisco. There are times we go 3 times a week. Those weeks, I'm exhausted, but it's well worth it. Many times we are back at home before 2 PM. We don't miss out on any time as a family, and Kaitlyn still has a lot of time to play and draw. Typically, she finishes sleeping in the car in the morning and is back in the car in time for naps. I think it has allowed us to take her to many places we may not have [otherwise visited]. It encourages us to visit places in the Bay area that we may not have thought to go to otherwise, such as the Pier [and the] San Francisco Zoo. There have been a few times that my husband has gone with us, and that's been wonderful. It's a mini family vacation.

SSD: Is the financial reward worth the work you and your child are doing?

DM: The financial reward is very nice. It allows for Kaitlyn to have more in her savings account than we would have been able to provide for her otherwise. I like that when Kaitlyn is older she can say "I'm paying for my own college" and know that she did it all on her own. Every penny Kaitlyn earns is hers. We do not spend any of it on any aspect of her career.

SSD: Describe a typical go see, and take us through a shoot.

DM: For a typical go-see, you are called to a studio, residence, or casting agency. You sign in and often fill out a form with your child's information: measurements, agency, name, contact info. You then wait your turn with the "competition", which is a great [play]time for . . . the kids. When it is your turn, you are usually called back to a room a little more private, though this is not always the case. Occasionally, the child puts on the clothes that are to be worn. Then, the child stands on the X while their picture is taken.

A shoot is . . . different. [For] a shoot, you sign in with the studio teacher. That includes giving them your child's work permit and voucher. The voucher is what the "client" fills out and you send to the agency so they can be billed for your services. Each studio is different. With Mervyn's, you are then called to hair and make-up. That typically entails a bit of blush and a clip in the hair. Then the child is dressed. There have been a few shoots that did not have hair and make-up. Most of the time the child goes to the set. They have a place to stand. The photographer is there and a few people . . . get the child to smile, laugh, play, jump and have fun. Of course, your child could be like mine, where they smile for 1-2, pictures then run off the set giggling. Then, as the parent, you get to put them back in their place while it all starts over. It's a lot like going to a portrait studio, except way more fun. Who wouldn't love to see 2-5 adults acting silly? When you are finished, you receive your completed voucher and go home. A couple [of] months later, you see the finished work!

SSD: What's a typical work day like in your home?

DM: Many times, we have to be to San Francisco by 9 [AM]. I get up and ready at 5. I load up the car with toys, water, milk, snacks, breakfast and directions to wherever we are going. At 6, I get Kaitlyn out of bed and try not to wake her. Most times I am successful. We drive to San Francisco. I always stop at the same place for my breakfast, which is when Kaitlyn wakes up to [eat] hers. We get to the location, have an hour or two of sitting and then shooting. Afterwards, it's usually nap time. Kaitlyn gets in the car and falls asleep before we hit the freeway. It's an easy drive back. I make lunch and work next to Kaitlyn while she eats. She finishes and watches “Sesame Street” and plays with the dog while I work and then make dinner. When my husband gets home, we eat. Then another hour of playing, followed by a bath and then bedtime.

SSD: How have your family, friends and neighbors reacted to your child's success?

DM: For the most part, everyone has been amazing. Family has been incredibly helpful, and [they have] taken Kaitlyn to San Francisco when I couldn't. They are always proud of the work she does and brag about her to everyone. Friends are the same way. We have had some minor run-ins with people who make rude comments, but you are bound to run into that with anything, from breast-feeding to bed time routines.

SSD: Are you scared of your child's success? How will you protect him/her from the hard parts of the business?

DM: I worry that Kaitlyn could grow up a bit more snobby because of her success. We try to keep her grounded and let her be a kid. I would never allow her to do something that would take away a normal childhood from her. We protect her from wierdos by password protecting her Website, tracking ISP addresses that visit it. We make sure we are always cautious, as I am sure all parents are. We want the best for our little girl. She's our princess first, and then a model.

Kaitlyn's profile can be viewed at Rate My Baby Pics.
http://www.ratemybabypics.com/view/tnkrbelll.html

17 Comments
Comment Pages: 1 2 3 4

Patricia03	Thu, May 22, 2008 9:19am your article was great and helpful
HandsomeLogan	Fri, Jul 06, 2007 6:20pm hi
shailea1	Thu, Feb 15, 2007 12:39pm thanks 4 the info can u tell me if i can send any of the pics i have posted to a agency i tink my daughter shailea would be a great kid model
Yassygirl	Thu, Feb 08, 2007 2:43am Thank you so much for all of that great information. I am researching for my granddaughter yassygirl. TY
Babyboodaluv	Tue, Jan 02, 2007 12:43pm Thanks... this has helped alot. I'm starting to go the way you have with my own daughter :) I'll keep in mind all of which you said.

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